Exploring Family Theories

Written by a team of experts, Exploring Family Theories, Second Edition, is a combined text/reader that integrates theory with research and applications. Presenting a diverse variety of perspectives, it offers students a unique and highly readable introduction to family theories.

In each chapter, Suzanne R. Smith, Raeann R. Hamon, Bron B. Ingoldsby, and J. Elizabeth Miller present the history, scholarship, and critiques of each principal family theory in a concise and student-friendly manner. Numerous illustrations and examples augment and clarify content, while application questions help students relate each theory to the real world. After each chapter, a follow-up journal article exemplifies how each theory is used to guide actual research.

Now in its second edition, Exploring Family Theories features contemporary--rather than historical--readings and a completely updated literature review. This edition also addresses issues of diversity throughout.

Clear, comprehensive, and concise, Exploring Family Theories, Second Edition, is ideal for undergraduate and graduate courses in family theory.

Suzanne R. Smith is Associate Professor of Human Development, Associate Chair, and Program Director at Washington State University, Vancouver.

Raeann R. Hamon is Distinguished Professor of Family Science and Gerontology and Chair of the Human Development and Family Science Department at Messiah College.

The late Bron B. Ingoldsby was Associate Professor of Family Life at Brigham Young University.

J. Elizabeth Miller is Associate Professor of Family and Child Studies at Northern Illinois University.